NORTHUMBERLAND have re-engaged former first-class pair Bradley Parker and Graeme Bridge as their professionals for the 2008 Minor Counties season.

Former Yorkshire batsman Parker begins his ninth campaign in the paid ranks at Jesmond and all-rounder Bridge (pictured) his second following his release from Durham.

Long-serving captain Phil Nicholson, meanwhile, is expected to begin a record-breaking 12th year at the helm as Northumberland look to build on recent successes.

They have reached two Lord’s finals and the Minor Counties play-off decider in the last four years and won their first silverware in 2006 when they beat Dorset in the MCCA Trophy.

Nicholson, whose side won the Eastern Division this season, said: “What has been achieved in the last few years has been tremendous and Parker has been a major part of that success.

“To have continuity with your professional is a big plus and as well as being a top batsman at this level he has fitted in perfectly with what we are trying to achieve at Northumberland.”

Parker, who has scored more than 3,000 Championship runs for Northumberland, had one of his least productive years in the rain-hit season just ended, where he scored 362 runs at a modest average of 30.

Parker scored 116 and 93 in the Championship opener against Cambridgeshire but then uncharacteristically found runs hard to come by.

He said: “I was pleased after the Cambridgeshire game but my season did not take off after that, though on occasions I played county cricket when I had not batted for two weeks due to the weather.

“It is the lowest amount of runs I have scored since my first season in 2000, but I am delighted to be re-engaged and I will be looking to get back to my normal form next season.

“I also expect to be meaner and leaner next year when we will be looking to continue the success of the last four years, and I would like to think I have contributed to the improvement at the club.”

Bridge, meanwhile, struggled with injury in his first season at Jesmond and was more prolific with the bat than the ball, where he only took 11 championship wickets at an average of 40.

The Wearsider, however, hit a magnificent quickfire 120 against Bedfordshire and three other Championship half-centuries from the lower middle order.

Nicholson added: “Parker and Bridge are quality players and we will look to them both to perform again next season, when we hope to build on the resurgence in Northumberland cricket.”